Community Intermediate Care Service

The Community Intermediate Care Service looks after people when they have been discharged from hospital or to prevent unnecessary admission, as well as seeing patients at home to reduce their level of dependence on either formal or informal care.

Related Information

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Service Definitions

Most of the treatment available under the National Health Service (NHS) is free, but there are some
things for which some older people may have to pay part, all or part of the cost of, such as dental care and glasses. If you are on Income Support, Pension Credit or have Certificate HC2 or HC3, which means you can apply for a low income entitlement, most of these services will be free or
subsidised. If you are on Pension Credit you will automatically qualify for help with the cost of travelling to and from hospital for NHS treatment. You may also get help towards these costs if you
have a certificate HC2 or HC3 on grounds of low income. For further information contact the Benefits Agency or Age Concern Croydon.

Before you are discharged from hospital, the nursing and medical staff will make an assessment of how well you will be able to manage when you return home. Other members of hospital staff who may be involved in the discharge planning process include: Occupational Therapist who will assess your needs in activities which you carry out every day - washing, dressing, cooking - and will provide advice and recommend equipment to make sure that your home environment is as safe as possible. Physiotherapist who will assess your mobility and recommend any equipment which might help you move more easily and safely. The Care Management Team within Mayday will assess your needs in other areas of your life and provide support, information and advice. There are a range of rehabilitative services available if an immediate return home is not possible. Discharge to a residential or nursing home placement will only be agreed if no other option is available. Others who may be involved could include dieticians or speech and language therapists, who may arrange for their colleagues working outside the hospital to continue any therapy which you have received whilst in hospital. Where nursing staff identify a need for ongoing nursing care - for example dressing a wound or giving injections - they may arrange for a community or practice nurse to continue treatment. If you have any concerns about how you might manage when you leave hospital, or if you would like further information about the discharge planning process please let the nursing staff on your ward know.